By Ivan Saldajeno
SAN JUAN, MM--UE averted an upset against an undermanned Mapua roster by completing a come-from-behind fashion to take a 98-91 victory in the nightcap of a special FilOil Flying V Preseason Cup offering at the FilOil Flying V Centre on Sunday.
Playing without Allwell Oraeme and with only ten men on Sunday night, the Cardinals appeared to have bucked off the said fact as they led the Red Warriors, 87-78, early in the fourth quarter.
But a 20-4 run by the Red Warriors put them up at the final buzzer as Bon Batiller led the clutch charge.
Batiller finished with 24 points, three rebounds, four assists, and three steals for UE, which stayed alive in the race for the quarterfinals.
Exe Biteng had 19 points, two rebounds, three assists, and two steals for Mapua, which actually built an early double-digit advantage only to completely lose it in the end.
Box Scores:
UE 98-Batiller 24, Charcos 12, P. Varilla 11, Palma 10, De Leon 10, Acuno 7, Larupay 5, Olayon 4, Pasaol 4, Sta. Ana 3, Armenion 3, Manalang 3, Penuala 2, J. Varilla 0, Bartolome 0, Poblete 0, Gagate 0
Mapua 91-Biteng 19, Estrella 17, Menina 16, Isit 12, Raflores 9, Gamboa 4, Dela Rosa 4, Bunag 4, Dela Cruz 4, Serrano 2
Quarterscores: 20-31, 47-54, 72-75, 98-91
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